Wednesday, February 03, 2010

African American Demographic Trends Exposed

How many African Americans live in the USA?  What percentage of African Americans older than 25 have at least a high school diploma?  How many black Americans voted for Barack Obama?

In 2007, BlackDemographics.com was created by Akiim DeShay to present US Census Bureau compiled facts and figures about African American lifestyles in a format that would be easy to use and understand.

Throughout the year, and especially during Black History Month, BlackDemographics.com is a great resource for statistics relevant to all of the following areas:

  • Population
  • Black cities and states
  • Employment
  • Middle Class
  • Housing
  • Education
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Geography
  • Politics
  • Religion

The site is well designed and simple to use.

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Posted by Hugh Smith on 02/03 at 07:30 PM
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Wednesday, January 27, 2010

The White House to Host A Civil Rights Music Review

First Lady Michelle and President Barack Obama will host another “In Performance at the White House: A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement."

You’ll be able to see the show on TV across the USA.

WETA television Washington, DC is producing it for PBS.  It’s scheduled for broadcast on Thursday, February 11, 2010, at 8 pm.

NPR will also air a one hour concert special of the event (for radio) during February, Black History Month.

Here’s an early list of performers:

  • Natalie Cole
  • Bob Dylan
  • Jennifer Hudson
  • John Legend
  • John Mellencamp
  • Smokey Robinson
  • Seal
  • Blind Boys of Alabama
  • Howard University Choir

Morgan Freeman and Queen Latifah will be the happy couple hosting the show.

Since the theme of the event is music that inspired the Civil Rights Movement, you’ll hear plenty of songs of inspiration.

I especially like the collaboration with The Grammy Museum.

They’ll be offering a downloadable “Music that Inspired the Movement” curriculum for middle and high school teachers, available at GrammyMuseum.org.

"A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement” is the third “In Performance at the White House” program President Obama has offered.

Watch the slide show below featuring a few of the artists who will perform, and listen to 1 minute of a civil rights movement favorite, Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A Changing."

This version is performed by The Brothers and Sisters of Los Angeles.

The track is from the album, Dylan’s Gospel, courtesy of Powerhouse Radio. Visit Powerhouse Radio on Facebook.

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Posted by Hugh Smith on 01/27 at 07:00 AM
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Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Nelson Mandela Marks a Milestone

On February 11, 2010, it will be 20 years since Nelson Mandela was released from a South African prison.

A political prison for over 25 years, a social activist for a lifetime, Nelson Mandela represents the very concept of liberation over oppression.

He worked in the gold mines of Johannesburg, South Africa, before earning a law degree from the University of South Africa in 1942.

Nelson Mandela timeline:

  1. 1944 - Joined the African National Congress.
  2. 1944 - Becomes secretary and president of the Congress Youth League.
  3. 1951 - Youth League President.
  4. 1955 - Helps to draft the ANC Freedom Charter.
  5. 1961 - Becomes honorary secretary of the All African National Action Council.
  6. 1961 - Becomes the leader of Umkonto, ANC’s underground paramilitary faction.
  7. 1962 - Sentenced to 5 years in prison for leaving South Africa without travel documents (and inciting riots).
  8. 1964 - Sentenced to life in prison for sabotage and treason.
  9. 1990 - Released from prison, February 11.
  10. 1991 - Elected ANC president.
  11. 1994 - Elected President of South Africa, April 27.
  12. 1994 - Inaugurated as President, May 12.
  13. 1999 - Leaves office, June.

Invictus, the 2009 film starring Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela, dramatizes how the president used a 1995 Rugby match to unite South Africans.

Watch the promotional movie trailer for Invictus.

Look for more Mandela slices of life on the big screen.  Jennifer Hudson is scheduled to star as Winnie Mandela, his ex-wife in a forthcoming film.

Nelson Mandela’s life struggle has been to secure equal rights for black South Africans.  He’s been awarded numerous honors, including the Nobel Peace Prize (along with former South African President F.W. de Klerk) in 1993.

Check out Mandela’s autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom.

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Posted by Hugh Smith on 12/02 at 07:00 PM
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Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Ebony Magazine Pioneer John H. Johnson

John H. Johnson (1918 - 2005) is the founder of one of the most successful African American owned multi-million dollar publishing, cosmetics and insurance empires.

He founded the Negro Digest in November, 1942, by republishing black oriented news from the African American and general market press.

Johnson used a 20,000 name mailing list from his insurance company employer, (with permission), to pitch the Negro Digest to potential customers.

He received 3,000 replies from eager folks requesting his periodical at a cost of $2 per subscription.  The Negro Digest sold 50,000 copies per month within 8 months of the premier issue.

Ebony, a picture based magazine, followed on November 1, 1945.  By 1951, another magazine was launched, the pocket sized Jet.

Jet’s focus featured more weekly news in less time for the reader by keeping the articles short.

By 1958, Johnson Publishing began branching out into other fields.  The company created the Ebony Fashion Fair, the world’s largest traveling fashion show (September, 1958).

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Posted by Hugh Smith on 11/04 at 06:30 PM
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Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Langston Hughes Writes Weary Blues

Playwright, novelist, poet, and composer Langston Hughes, (1902-1967), hails from Joplin, Missouri.

Hughes’ eloquent prose is considered some of the very best work of any writer in the first half of the twentieth century.

He wrote his first poems in high school.  Hughes traveled extensively abroad before winning his first poetry contest in 1925.

"Weary Blues” was his first published poem in 1926.  His first novel was published in 1930, Not Without Laughter.

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Posted by Hugh Smith on 10/14 at 12:00 AM
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Wednesday, September 16, 2009

The Cosby Show Anniversary - 25 Years Later

September 20, 2009, is the 25th anniversary the Cosby Show on television.

Bill Cosby was the first African American actor to receive an Emmy Award (1966) for his role in the television series I Spy.  The Philadelphia native has been extremely successful as a comedian, actor, writer, producer, and social activist.

Listen to 1 minute of Bill Cosby being very funny.  Enjoy the 4 vintage Cosby album covers in the video.

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Posted by Hugh Smith on 09/16 at 12:00 AM
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Wednesday, August 05, 2009

An American Odyssey of the First Black NASCAR Driver

Wendell Scott was no angel.

At age 20, he had his first encounter with the law.

The so called “Jackie Robinson” of NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing), despite the odds, succeeded using his street smarts to win at the racing game.

It didn’t hurt that Scott perfected the art of running moonshine in fast cars in the back roads of south - central Virginia prior to breaking the stock car color line in 1952.

Hard Driving: the Wendell Scott Story, the American Odyssey of NASCAR’S first black driver is a dramatic profile of an inspired achiever who wouldn’t give up while pursuing his dream.

The roadblocks were many, back in the Brown vs. the Board of Education days, as the modern civil rights struggle was kicking off in the 1950s.

Hard Driving gives a blow by blow description of Scott’s emergence as an African American community celebrity across the South at race tracks where his presence was ridiculed by the racists of the day.

I enjoyed reading Scott’s perspective on exactly what happened during the early years of his career.

As a black history month project, the Wendell Scott story deserves your attention.

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Posted by Hugh Smith on 08/05 at 12:00 AM
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Friday, July 03, 2009

The Michael Jackson Story

The story of Michael Jackson, (1958 - 2009), is not complete without the story of the Jackson 5.

Michael was born in Gary, Indiana on August 29, 1958.  He is one of nine children.  When Michael performed with four of his brothers in 1963, at age 5, he was included in the act primarily for the novelty effect.

By 1964, The Jackson 5 were conquering the Gary Indiana talent show circuit.  In 1967, the brothers appeared at the Apollo Theater in New York City.  The same year, they auditioned for Motown Records.

"I Want You Back,” their first single with Motown in 1969, became a number one hit.  On the strength of this song, and the album “Diana Ross Presents the Jackson Five,” the group received national television exposure on the Ed Sullivan Show.

1970 saw four number one singles for the Jackson 5.  The producers at Motown realized that Michael’s individual talent was worth putting in the spotlight.

Between late 1971 through 1972, singles “Got to Be There,” “Rockin’ Robin,” “I Wanna be Where You Are,” and “Ben” firmly established Jackson as a solo star.

The string of hits on Motown ended for the Jackson 5 in 1975.  Michael, Jackie, Tito, Marlon, and Randy signed with the Epic label in 1976.

Jermaine Jackson remained with Motown.  Berry Gordy retained the rights to the name The Jackson 5, so the brothers assumed their new professional name, The Jacksons.

By 1978, Michael was truly coming into his own as a songwriter, actor, and singer.

He starred with Diana Ross in the motion picture musical, “The Wiz.” “The Wiz” was scored by Quincy Jones, who would later produce Michael’s most successful commercial work.

1979’s “Off the Wall” album launched Michael Jackson toward super stardom.  The album sold over 8 million copies.  “Don‘t Stop til You Get Enough” from Off the Wall won Michael his first Best R&B Vocal Performance Grammy.

Michael’s electrifying 1983 performance of “Billie Jean” on the television special “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, and Forever” solidified his place as a pop icon and superstar.

By 1984, the “Thriller” album, (released in 1982), won 8 Grammy Awards.  Jackson has worked with the biggest names in rock, included 1982 & 1983 duet collaborations with Paul McCartney, ("The Girl is Mine,” “Say, Say, Say"), and “State of Shock,” recorded with Mick Jagger in 1984.

Michael teamed up with Lionel Richie in 1985 to co-author, “We Are The World,” a song written to help world hunger.

By 1986, Jackson was working with film giants Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas on his short film project, “Captain EO” for Disneyland and Disneyworld.

1987 saw the release of “Bad,” an album that produced four number one singles.  Doubleday published Michael’s autobiography, “Moonwalk,” in 1988.

The “Dangerous” album was released in 1991.  In 1993, Jackson entertained during the Super Bowl, appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, and received a Living Legend Grammy Award.

Here’s a complete Michael Jackson timeline courtesy of PowerhouseRadio.com.

Like many celebrities, his private life has not been without controversy.  Despite being the focus of tabloid journalism, Jackson has attained a place in musical history that few entertainers have achieved.

* Biography courtesy of Empower Encyclopedia *

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Posted by Hugh Smith on 07/03 at 12:00 AM
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Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Iconic African Americans in Philadelphia Go Digital

Audacious Freedom, African Americans in Philadelphia, 1776 - 1876, is a modest sized but creative new 2009 black history exhibit with a focus on 18th and 19th Century City of Brotherly Love legends.

The African American Museum in Philadelphia, (just a block away from the National Constitution Center), is hosting this new permanent exhibit which opened on Juneteenth.

On a recent Sunday, I toured the galleries and was pleasantly surprised by the electrified presence of 10 symbolic representatives of the era, who tell their stories in the first person, through the magic of digital video technology.

Here is Octavious V. Catto, the post Civil War Philadelphia educator, talking to his audience.

Each of the 10 historical figures recreated by actors comes alive in life-sized high definition screens.  Visitors can press buttons on the kiosks to interact with the personalities who talk about the issues of their day.

Kids have their own special area of the presentation allowing them to interact with the exhibit and experience how post Civil War kids connected with day-to-day living.

According to AAMP President and CEO Romona Riscoe Benson, “Audacious Freedom gives us the opportunity to celebrate the richness of the culture and experiences of people of African descent.”

Although the video elements are a highlight of the exhibit, visitors can still view traditional pictures, artifacts, and timelines documenting the rich contributions African Americans have made to Philadelphia’s important history.

Visit aampmuseum.org for more information.

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Posted by Hugh Smith on 06/24 at 06:30 PM
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Wednesday, May 27, 2009

How Eartha Kitt Created a Black History Legend

Eartha Kitt, (1927 - 2008), lived an amazing true-life story.  She became the diva of Europe during the 1950’s as an electrifying cabaret singer.

Her dating exploits with contemporary playboys filled the gossip pages with celebrity news.

Outspoken and independent, Kitt received a backlash from the African American community throughout her career for not being “black enough."

Despite this challenge, Eartha Kitt eventually flourished in the USA on stage, on screen, and on records with Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award nominations.

At just 16 as a member of the Katherine Dunham Dance Company, Eartha toured Mexico, South America, and Europe.

Follow this Eartha Kitt Timeline:

  • Films - Accused (1957), Anna Lucasta (1959), and Syanon (1965)
  • From 1968 to 1974 Kitt performed primarily in Europe.
  • In the late 1970’s, she focused on her recording career
  • In the 1980’s, she spent a lot of time on her Connecticut estate
  • More films in the 1990’s, including Boomerang, Ernest: Scared Stupid, and Fatal Instinct
  • Kitt won the Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding performer in an animated program for Disney’s The Emperor’s New School (June 13, 2008)
  • She’s best remembered for her role as Catwoman on the TV series Batman

Kitt proved to be a huge hit with the Paris nightclub crowd, and is known for her sultry, sexy cabaret act.

Here’s a great example...listen to 60 seconds of Eartha Kitt singing “My Heart Belongs To Daddy” from the CD Eartha Kitt - The Masters.

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Posted by Hugh Smith on 05/27 at 06:45 PM
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Wednesday, April 29, 2009

The First African American Steamboat Captain: R.J. Salisbury

R.J. Salisbury piloted the steamer “Shiloh” as Captain between 1904 and 1908.

He took the pilot’s license examination at the U.S. Steamboat Inspectors headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia in 1900.

Despite Jim Crow laws, hesitation among officials to sign his license, and resistant by engineers to sail with him, Captain Salisbury persevered to become the first African American steamboat captain.

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Posted by Hugh Smith on 04/29 at 12:00 AM
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Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Capitol Men Chronicles the First Black USA Congressmen

Blanche Kelso Bruce, Hiram Revels, and P.B.S. Pinchback get most of the credit.

Right after the Civil War, a very large number of African Americans were elected to Congress, almost exclusively by black constituents.

Historian and author Phillip Dray reveals how during Reconstruction, African American legislators by the hundreds took their place in black history.

Capitol Men: The Epic Story of Reconstruction Through the Lives of the First Black Congressmen is an eye-opener and a must read.

We know how this story ends, with ‘black codes,’ Jim Crow laws, and blatant discrimination to “zero out” the presence of African American Congressional leadership by the end of the 19th Century.

Discover the fascinating story for yourself by learning more about these capitol men.

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Posted by Hugh Smith on 03/18 at 07:00 PM
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Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Black History Month Highlights 2009

Black History Month 2009 still has a few days to go.  So far, we’ve had over 20,000 searches through our main website (BlackHistoryPeople.com) for interesting black history people.

Here are our top 10 searches (in order) for February, 2009:

  1. Rosa Parks
  2. Harriet Tubman
  3. Martin Luther King Jr.
  4. Bill Cosby
  5. Barack Obama
  6. Jesse Owens
  7. Louis Armstrong
  8. Daisy Bates
  9. Jackie Robinson
  10. Thurgood Marshall

Thanks for all of your excellent suggestions and feedback.  Remember to grab our Black History People List and share it with your friends.

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Posted by Hugh Smith on 02/25 at 07:00 AM
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Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Benjamin Banneker: Astronomer and Mathematician

Benjamin Banneker: surveyor, astronomer, mathematician, almanac author, clock maker, and peace activist was born on November 9, 1731.

A Quaker based education excelled Banneker’s thirst for knowledge during his teenage years.  After limited formal schooling, much of his knowledge of mathematics and science was self taught.

At age 31, Banneker made his first clock from wooden parts.  He published almanacs from 1792 through 1802.

Banneker in less than a month created a surveyor’s map (1791) for Washington D.C. (rescuing city planners from the inaccurate calculations of previous surveyors).

This African American (1731 - 1806) is responsible for creating one of the world’s most beautiful and historic cities.

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Posted by Hugh Smith on 02/18 at 07:00 AM
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Friday, February 13, 2009

A Graphic History of African Americans

Over 200 pages spanning 400 years of intriguing stories captures your attention in Still I Rise: A Graphic History of African Americans.

Graphic in this case stands for honest, as author Roland Laird tells the real story of African Americans from the dawn of slavery to the present.

I traveled to Trenton, New Jersey to talk with Roland face-to-face about the creation of Still I Rise and the unique angle governing the presentation of this book.

Watch the 6 minute video to discover much more.

You can reserve your copy of Still I Rise: A Graphic History of African Americans.

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Posted by Hugh Smith on 02/13 at 01:30 PM
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